Iqaluit water treatment plant could be ready to go back online next week
City says repairs to plant are wrapping up, holistic inspection ‘almost finished’
The City of Iqaluit’s water treatment plant may be ready to go back to regular operations soon, according to a public service announcement from the city Friday. (File photo)
The City of Iqaluit’s water treatment plant may be back to regular operations soon.
The city published an update on inspections and repairs to the plant on Friday.
Contractors are doing a ‘holistic’ inspection of the water treatment plant’s pumps, valves, mechanical functions, filters, UV system and chlorination.
“This is being done out of an abundance of caution, since it has been over a year since the plant has been operational,” the news release states.
In addition to the inspection, the city is testing the water throughout the water treatment plant and the reservoir is being disinfected and checked for bacteria.
Once that work is finished, the contractors will recommend the city apply to the Government of Nunavut for permission to use the water plant as normal. They expect to be ready to do this by the end of next week, states the release.
The City of Iqaluit has also hired a full-time certified water treatment plant operator “to supervise the facility and ensure that it operates as designed,” according to the update.
It also stated no noticeable changes to the colour or taste of the water are expected once the water treatment plant is fully functional again. As a standard procedure, the chief public health officer may also issue a precautionary boil water order for residents.
The City of Iqaluit said it will issue another announcement when the water treatment plant is completely operational.
The water treatment plant has been offline since early 2022 following two separate contamination incidents.
The problem was fuel, not bacteria, so hopefully the water testing/sampling will include monitoring for contaminants in addition to microorganisms. It is good the city has been working on this and is notifying citizens in advance, however.
It might pass as good water at the plant but what about after running through those old pipes in the ground?
I would feel much more comfortable if I knew what companies were contracted. I would like reassurances that the City isn’t doing this “in house” because, frankly, I don’t have any faith in the City to achieve good results on their own.